What is a Placebo and Why is it Used?
A placebo is essentially a “fake” pill that is a harmless substance that is given to some study volunteers instead of the actual drug. A placebo is used to compare results with the study drug so that researchers know if the drug actually works. Usually, neither the patients nor the clinical staff know who is receiving a placebo and who is not (this is called a “double-blind” study”). Study participants receive the same level of medical attention and care whether they receive the placebo or experimental drug. Frequently, the study patients who receive the placebo are given the opportunity to take the experimental drug if it is shown to be safe. What is the Informed Consent Form? The Informed Consent is a document that you are required to sign prior to participating in a study. The Informed Consent explains the study protocol including possible risks and benefits, what tests will be performed and what you are agreeing to do as a participant. Signing the Informed Consent indicates only th
